Mutations in the pfmdr1, cg2, and pfcrt genes in Plasmodium falciparum samples from endemic malaria areas in Rondonia and Pará State, Brazilian Amazon Region.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the molecular basis for Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine in isolates from the Brazilian Amazon and to identify polymorphisms in the pfmdr1 gene, codons 184, 1042, and 1246, the kappa and gamma regions of the cg2 gene, and the K76T mutation of the pfcrt gene, in order to calculate the distribution of polymorphism within each target gene, comparing samples from distinct geographic areas, using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the pfmdr gene and PCR plus restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for the cg2 and pfcrt genes. The sample consisted of 40 human blood isolates, already collected and morphologically diagnosed as carriers of P. falciparum parasites, from four localities: Porto Velho in Rondonia State and Maraba, Itaituba, and Tailandia in Pará State.

Frequencies of ABO, MNSs, and Duffy phenotypes among blood donors and malaria patients from four Brazilian Amazon areas.

We compared the serological phenotypic frequencies of ABO, MNSs, and Duffy in 417 blood donors and 309 malaria patients from four Brazilian Amazon areas. Our results suggest no correlation between ABO phenotype and malaria infection in all areas studied. We observed significant correlation between the S +s +, S +s -, and S -s + phenotypes and malaria infection in three areas.

[Malaria outside the Brazilian Amazonian region: the situation in Santa Catarina State].

This study aimed to evaluate the malaria epidemiological aspects in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, by using National Health Foundation data from 1996 to 2001. From 4,707 thick smears analyzed 5.5% were positive.

Correlation between Plasmodium vivax variants in Belém, Pará State, Brazil and symptoms and clearance of parasitaemia.

The aim of this study was to determine how different types of P. vivax affect clinical symptoms and parasitaemia clearance. Blood was collected from individuals from Pará State, Brazil.